Tennants Rights Scotland

wordsfan

I am currently renting through a letting agency. When I first moved in there was unbeknown to me a leaking pipe that was leaking water into the downstairs neighbour's flat. I have contamination ocd and it was extremely anxiety inducing having a plumber come into my new and to my mind clean new flat. The leak was found and repaired but for it to have done the damage he claimed it must have been obvious to him that there was a leak before I moved in (He claimed entire new bathroom and ceiling on my landlady's insurance).

I've been here 4 years now and this year the letting agency have brought to my attention that he regularly complains about me. That I don't collect the post when I should (I am a sahm and I collect it when I go out as Post is delivered down at front door (shared letterbox )), He doesn't like when I put my bin out/take it in (due to the ocd I do it within a set routine so I tend to put it out early evening the day before collection (he puts his out the morning of that day), and I take it in the following evening (Which he thinks is too late, but if I worked it would have to be done then).

He is not a great neighbour himself and I could certainly make complaints about him, but frankly don't need more grief, plus he owns his flat so who would I complain to?

Anyway, as he's now claiming another leak, My landlady (lives and works overseas) is sending her mum round to see what the problem is, but her mum is friendly with his mum I think and therefore may be biased, or at least feel awkward telling him it's his problem.

What rights do I have as a tennant regarding assessment of whether a repair is necessary? What rights do I have regarding his (as far as I'm concerned petty) complaints?

I love my little flat and don't want to have to move but this is getting beyond a joke.

Help

happy_bunny_2

Have a look on the shelter Scotland website as your rights are more than in England, I believe. Maybe call them?

Propertyauthor

The best site to go to for help is: https://rentingscotland.org/tenants-guide There is a whole section on rental repairs. All agents and landlords also have to be licensed now, so any problems, you can complain free of charge, if you are not happy with how you are being treated. Here's more details: https://rentingscotland.org/articles/landlord-and-letting-agent-accreditation-and-regulation

jaylee3

To be honest, from the thread title, I was expecting to see something about THIS guy.

Pixie5740

Your rights depend on what type of tenancy you have i.e. assured tenancy or a short assured tenancy for example. Shelter Scotland have an online tenancy checker and have a wealth of information about your rights and responsibilities.

http://scotland.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/downloads_and_tools/online_checkers/what_kind_of_tenancy_do_i_have

The complaints your neighbour is making sound very petty. What business is it of his when you collect your post?

Landlords in Scotland have a responsibility to make sure their tenants aren't causing a nuisance to the neighbours. However, if the complaints your neighbour is making is as petty as you say then I don't think that your landlord would have grounds to evict you as a nuisance neighbour.

That said, a landlord doesn't necessarily need a good reason to evict you. You say you've lived in the property for 4 years now. How long was the term of the original tenancy agreement? Do you sign a new tenancy agreement every year or does it automatically renew?

Some councils offer mediation for neighbours so perhaps that is an avenue worth exploring. You might get to the bottom of what is really annoying your neighbour and if not at least you've shown willing to resolve the matter amicably.